Leadership and Management Scheme - Career Changers

Our Leadership and Management scheme was developed to equip people for a fruitful career in the fast-paced food industry.

Hardworking, highly motivated individuals will relish the challenge of these 18-24 month programmes.

Successful candidates become MDS associates, working towards a formal Level 3 Supply Chain Leader or Level 5 leadership and management qualification accredited by the Chartered Management Institute.

This modular training prepares you for future leadership positions and is supported by mentoring to help you reach your potential.

Each MDS associate also undertakes a series of placements in Member businesses, in roles that give real responsibility from the start.

MDS Members represent all aspects of the food, fresh produce, horticulture and agriculture supply chain, from growers to supermarkets.

Your placements will each last for 6-12 and will cover a range of different functions, from marketing to operations, HR to business planning.

You may be asked to complete a specific project for one business, whilst for another, you may find yourself running a packing plant.

As our Members are based around the UK (and some overseas), you are highly likely to be asked to relocate for each placement.

At the end of each programme, our Members are invited to make offers of permanent roles to our associates, which usually results in every individual securing employment.

MDS alumni now number over 500 and hold senior positions in many leading businesses.

We keep in touch with our alumni through regular updates and networking opportunities.

This is a fast-paced industry in which salaries are rising quickly.

Trainees are employed by MDS at £25,000 per annum, rising to £26,000 after the first year.

If you are hard-working and motivated, then a career in food industry operations could be very rewarding.

Benefits - Relocation allowance - up to £1,000 per year - Chartered Management Institute approved qualification - Dedicated mentoring - 28 days holiday - Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - Interest free starter loan - Regularly review the cost of living and amend salaries accordingly - Accredited by ‘Great Place To Work’